Headlines for Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Mazda's Yamanouchi: 'We have a very rich lineup'

Takashi Yamanouchi wants to increase Mazda's annual U.S. sales by 43 percent – to more than 400,000 units – by 2016. The 67-year-old CEO is banking on the third-generation Mazda6 mid-sized sedan to lead the surge. Read More »

AutoNews Now: Interiors shine in L.A.

Big debuts ahead for Ford Connect Transit Wagon, revamped Civic; Honda's line of defense; wins for Caddy, Ram and Tesla. Read More »

First Shift: Ewanick lands at Fisker

Ousted GM exec is interim head of sales, marketing; EV fun for Chevy?; sales optimism; dual Honda win; Mazda's upscale goal. Read More »

Post-Sandy demand to boost November auto sales, Toyota says

Toyota's top U.S. sales executive said consumers purchasing new vehicles to replace those lost during Superstorm Sandy will mean strong November U.S. auto sales. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, November U.S. sales will be between 14.8 million and 15. Read More »

Nissan hawks a hotter GT-R

Nissan has re-engineered the 2014 GT-R in a bid to restoke U.S. sales of the high-end sports car -- but also with an eye toward improving its lap times at Germany's Nurburgring racetrack next spring. Read More »

Dealers can use Porsche test track to win over customers

When Porsche’s $100 million North American headquarters opens here in 2014, dealers will have another tool to close a sale or reward a loyal customer. The headquarters project includes a 1.6-mile test track and a customer experience center that dealers are invited to tap. Read More »

BMW expands i-brand lineup with 3-door concept

BMW has provided the clearest hint yet that its lineup of i-brand electric vehicles will expand beyond the three models already confirmed for production with the unveiling of a three-door version of the i3 for the Los Angeles Auto Show. Read More »

Automakers tout safety technology with Web campaign

To go along with the glitzy debuts of the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, the largest trade group for automakers in the United States has started an online campaign touting high-tech features aimed at helping drivers avoid crashes. Read More »

Teens text more while driving than parents think, study says

Teenagers are 26 times more likely to send text messages while driving than their parents expect, based on preliminary results of a safety study by Toyota and the University of Michigan. Read More »

Sell while you still can! Dealer cashes in on end-of-the-world sale

Armageddon is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 21, which means the whole presidential campaign was just a big waste of time. It also means the next few weeks are prime car-shopping time. Read More »

Chrysler's new minivan goes upscale

Chrysler Group, which popularized the minivan nearly 30 years ago, will showcase an upscale version of its Chrysler Town & Country family minivan at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week. Read More »

2014 Chevrolet Impala to use new MyLink

The redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Impala sedan will be the first vehicle to use the brand's second-generation version of the MyLink infotainment system, complete with new software and user interface. Read More »

GM takes cue from Apple to address in-vehicle tech glitches

GM is rolling out its own version of Apple's Genius Bar to prevent frustration over its in-car technology from driving away potential customers. Read More »

Ford adds options, refinement to 2014 Fiesta

Believing that customers increasingly want sophistication even in the smallest cars, Ford will offer the 2014 Fiesta with more refinement and more options in powertrains and infotainment than the 2013 version. Read More »

Rolls-Royce expands global dealerships to target wealthy outside Europe

Rolls-Royce aims to grow its global dealerships to 120 from 105 within five years in a bid to target millionaires in markets like Chile, Thailand and Vietnam, who are unfazed by Europe's debt crisis. Read More »

U.S. regulators require Bosch to sell air conditioning service unit

German supplier Robert Bosch, which aims to become the leading maker of equipment for recharging vehicle air conditioning systems, must sell a subsidiary to satisfy regulators in the United States. Read More »

Fiat has no plans to sell 500 electric car in Europe

Fiat will not sell its 500e electric car in Europe, Fiat global brand boss Olivier Francois said. Read More »

GM touts Spark EV as fun for urban driving -- not as regulatory check mark

GM is launching an electric version of its Chevrolet Spark minicar as a green, fun-to-drive option for urban dwellers -- not to “check a regulatory box,” GM product chief Mary Barra insists. Read More »

European, American car designers help Chinese develop own style

Chinese carmakers want to reach styling and quality milestones already achieved by their Asian rivals – but in a fraction of the time. To do this many Chinese brands have hired experienced Western design directors who they hope will make their products ready for the world. Read More »